Uncircumcised?? What's the Big Deal??

[Soupyszoo]

Ok so lately I've heard and read a lot about all these parents against circumcising their baby boys. What's the deal? Is this a new fad? Aren't there health reasons for circumcising boys when they are born? Or health reasons in general for circumcising and easier on the baby to do it when they are born?

I don't understand when parents say it should be the baby's choice (obviously when he's old enough to choose)?? It seems like the healthiest thing to do but waaaaaay more traumatic when they are old enough to make the desicion themselves, no??

I've never had boys but, we did have friends that for whatever reason were not able to have their son circumsiced when he was born and had it done at 2yo. It was horrible for the little guy

Just trying to understand

[Breezy]

People that are against circ believe that children should have their own say in it, that it decreases sexual pleasure, it is unnatural and barbaric. Insurance companies are no longer covering it as anything but a cosmetic procedure so many parents are no longer getting it done. Many health professionals no longer see it as medically necessary.

Those for circ believe that it is more hygienic and reduces the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease in women? (Because men are more clean down there), reduces the risk of cancers in men. But above all is more hygienic especially for young boys that don't want to or know how (or the importance of ) washing down there.

We had our son circed when he was 4 weeks old and I have never regretted it. I have gotten a in many a debate about it though in other forums!

[Meyou]

IMO it's cosmetic surgery and shouldn't be done without the patient's consent.

[Soupyszoo]

That's what I'm seeing! A lot of debates! The people that are against it seem almost condescending in their views! They seems to be rallying with attachment parents and the breast feeders and the cloth diaperers all of which I could care less about! What everyone wants to worry about is their choice. I just can't help but feel a tad offended when this group of people talk down to people who use disposable diapers, formula and let their babies sleep in cribs and choose to circumsice.

[littlemommy]

We had DS circumcised, because we thought it was "the norm." We didn't do any research of anything, just had it done. If we have another boy, he will not be circumcised. IMO, it is nothing more than a money making cosmetic procedure for doctors and hospitals to benefit from.

Some baby boys go into a state of shock, some have a botched procedure and have to have it redone causing more pain, and some die due to infection.

I don't think DS has been ruined by it, but I do think now that he should have had a choice. If he wanted it done later in life, he would have been put under and had painkillers to help with it. When he had it done at only 1 day old, he was only given sugar water. There is no way that can keep a baby from hurting. It's horrible to know exactly how it is done and how much pain it causes

[SilverSabre25]

Like most other parenting choices, it is a choice and it is very polarizing. It is one of those "hot" issues, right up there with spanking, breastfeeding, and cosleeping. Actually, I could go on because I can't think of a single parenting choice that's not a huge debate!

Throughout the past fifteen years or so, the circumcision rates in our country have been dropping. There have been many research studies whose results have been no evidence upporting circumcision= more hygenic/cleaner/fewer infections/etc. At best, the results have been inconclusive.

We are (IIRC) the only developed nation where circumcision is routinely practiced on ALL baby boys.

Gradually, there began to be a trend towards leaving boys intact. Eventually, some insurance companies began not covering the procedure as organizations such as WHO and AAP deemed it medically unnecessary (in most cases). Today, the circumcision rate is WAY down...somewhere in the 40% range, I think, down from 80% or 90% thirty years ago. And it's dropping every year.

As for cleaning, well, you don't need to worry about it until the foreskin retracts on it's own, usually by age 3 or 4, then when your son is learning to bathe himself you simply teach him to pull back the foreskin and wash under it, the same way you teach kids to wash their hair and behind their ears. It's just another part of the body.

Arguments like "he should look like his father" and "we don't want him to be made fun of" don't hold much water when you consider circ rates (not likely to be only uncirc'd boy) and the fact that even circ'd penises all look different and you just explain (if he even asks) that some look different.

it's just another choice...another way for parents on both sides of the spectrum to feel either sanctimonious or judged because of it.

[Breezy]

We had DS circumcised, because we thought it was "the norm." We didn't do any research of anything, just had it done. If we have another boy, he will not be circumcised. IMO, it is nothing more than a money making cosmetic procedure for doctors and hospitals to benefit from.

Some baby boys go into a state of shock, some have a botched procedure and have to have it redone causing more pain, and some die due to infection.

I don't think DS has been ruined by it, but I do think now that he should have had a choice. If he wanted it done later in life, he would have been put under and had painkillers to help with it. When he had it done at only 1 day old, he was only given sugar water. There is no way that can keep a baby from hurting. It's horrible to know exactly how it is done and how much pain it causes

My DS had local!

[Greenplasticwateringcans]

Circing has not been in vogue in my area since the late '70's.

[SilverSabre25]

Also, if you really want to know...look up some information on it. Watch a video online of how the procedure is done. It is NOT pleasant and it is NOT harmless to the baby. Mistakes are not unheard of.

If you choose it, go in with your eyes wide open, at least. Consider finding a friendly rabbi to do a bris if you really insist because somehow, the Jewish method doesn't seem to cause as much trauma to the babies.

Babies DO feel pain. Don't let the doctors tell you otherwise.

Insist on anesthetic being used.

Consider having it done out of the hospital.

Just...educate yourself.

[littlemommy]

My DS had local!

For some reason our hospital doesn't offer that. At the time I didn't think of it, but after I realized how it's done and what not I had momma guilt.

[Sunshine44]

I haven't decided what I would do if I have another boy, but it isn't covered under insurances as it is comestic only now. Even books (medical) are saying it is not necessary to do it anymore. It is not a fad, it is because some people say it poses a greater medical risk or that it should be the infants choice when they grow up. Do your own research and form your own opinion after doing the research. I cannot say either way what I feel at this point.

[littlemommy]

Also, if you really want to know...look up some information on it. Watch a video online of how the procedure is done. It is NOT pleasant and it is NOT harmless to the baby. Mistakes are not unheard of.

If you choose it, go in with your eyes wide open, at least. Consider finding a friendly rabbi to do a bris if you really insist because somehow, the Jewish method doesn't seem to cause as much trauma to the babies.

Babies DO feel pain. Don't let the doctors tell you otherwise.

Insist on anesthetic being used.

Consider having it done out of the hospital.

Just...educate yourself.

And if you choose not to have it done-do not let anyone retract the foreskin! I've heard of so many intact babies having their foreskin forcibly retracted by nurses/doctors at regular check ups. They should know better, but they don't. It can cause permanent damage.

[wdmmom]

Lately the "fad" seems to be semi-circumcisions. I had never heard of it until I started doing daycare 3 years ago. Several of my dcb's have what's called the semi. They only remove the front flap that covers the urethra and the rest is left.

Apparently they have found that removing just a portion has proven less UTI's while leaving all the sensation.

My ex husband was not because the doctor said there wasn't enough to remove (true in his case) but we had DS circumsized. The cost was $110. (11 years ago.)

[Soupyszoo]

I haven't decided what I would do if I have another boy, but it isn't covered under insurances as it is comestic only now. Even books (medical) are saying it is not necessary to do it anymore. It is not a fad, it is because some people say it poses a greater medical risk or that it should be the infants choice when they grow up. Do your own research and form your own opinion after doing the research. I cannot say either way what I feel at this point.

That's kind of where I stand right now. On one hand it seems like just the "normal" thing to do. On the other hand I can't believe the pain they must feel!! I don't plan on having anymore kids but this just seems to be a topic I see a lot! I knew I could count on you guys for more information

[Breezy]

I haven't decided what I would do if I have another boy, but it isn't covered under insurances as it is comestic only now. Even books (medical) are saying it is not necessary to do it anymore. It is not a fad, it is because some people say it poses a greater medical risk or that it should be the infants choice when they grow up. Do your own research and form your own opinion after doing the research. I cannot say either way what I feel at this point.

I am so glad my insurance covers it. They gave me the list of prices for private pay and it is very expensive I would bet that has a lot to do with the low numbers of people doing it nowadays too.